Four youths granted bail in gang sex attack case

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Four of six teenagers charged with the aggravated sexual assault of an 18-year-old woman were each released on $2000 bail when they appeared in court yesterday.

Opposing bail for all six, four aged 17 and two 18, police said the crime was abhorrent and a serious and violent sexual offence and the defendants, if found guilty, could face life imprisonment.

All were remanded until Tuesday.

Police will allege the woman had been talking to one of the 17-year-olds outside the Standard Hotel in Anson Street, Orange, about 3am on Friday.

Five others joined them and the six youths allegedly forced the woman across the road and into the surrounds of the Uniting Church, where they allegedly sexually assaulted her.

The 17-year-olds appeared in a special sitting of Orange Children's Court before Registrar Peter Byrne.

Mr Byrne ordered the first, an apprentice fitter and machinist, not to leave home without one of his parents, except to go to and from work, nor to approach the victim or any of the other accused.

The second, unemployed, lived with another family member in another part of the state but solicitor Andrew Rolfe said his mother was moving to Orange and he would live with her.

Police prosecutor Detective Sergeant James Puxty said the third 17-year-old had been identified by one of the co-accused as having vaginal intercourse with the victim and the case against him was stronger.

The youth's solicitor, Neal Jones, said he would deny the allegations. Mr Jones said although his client was unemployed, he was soon to start work as a bricklayer's labourer and had strong family ties in Orange.

Granting him bail, Mr Byrne ordered him not to leave home without a parent with him.

Sergeant Puxty said the fourth 17-year-old had brought the five others to the victim while she was talking to the sixth. Mr Byrne refused bail.

Marley William Copeland, 18, and Jeremy Wayne Hammond, 18, appeared in Orange Local Court before Mr Byrne.

Sergeant Puxty said Copeland, who lives in Orange, was on a bond and had been involved in matters of violence, showing disregard in attending court to have them dealt with.

Mr Byrne refused bail.

Hammond, an apprentice jockey, was ordered to stay with his sister at Gilgandra and report daily to Gilgandra police.